Defining Moments

When Managers Must Choose Between Right and Right

By: Joseph L. Badaracco

Narrated by: Lloyd James

How do you lead the launch of a product you know will be extremely controversial?

What should you do if a single parent on your staff is falling behind in his or her work?

How should you respond if you are offered an opportunity at work solely because of your race or gender?

This is a book about work choices and life choices, and the critical points, or defining moments, at which the two become one. A refreshing antidote to traditional feel-good, inspirational business ethics, it examines the right-versus-right conflicts that every business manager faces and presents an unorthodox yet practical way for you to think about and resolve them.

When making hard professional decisions, managers often use personal values as a touchstone. Badaracco asserts, however, that resolving such dilemmas is not as simple as the "do the right thing" school of ethics would have you believe. Defining Moments reveals an alternative approach that will help you tackle the more complex and troubling question of what to do when doing the right thing requires doing something else wrong, or leaving another right thing undone.

Drawing on philosophy, literature, and three case studies that reveal the increasing complexity today's managers face as their careers advance, Defining Moments provides tangible examples, actionable steps, and a flexible framework that you can use to make the choices that will shape not only your career, but your character.

Compelling and absent of ethical jargon, this book gets to the core of what makes being a manager so difficult. For new and seasoned managers alike, Defining Moments explores what it means, and whether it's even possible, to be a successful manager and simultaneously a thoughtful, responsible human being.

©1997 Joseph L. Badaracco, Jr (P)2007 Gildan Media Corp

Critic reviews

"This solid, penetrating work, obviously deeply felt by the author, is likely to be well received by boomer managers." ( Library Journal)

An interesting look at ethical business issues

What made the experience of listening to Defining Moments the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the real life stories used as launching pads for specific ethical conflicts

Any additional comments?

I would have liked to have heard more real-life examples of business ethical situations. The book seemed to ask more questions than it answered, but that is the nature of ethics. There are no easy answers. If you are looking for an intro book about ethics in business I would recommend this book.

A proper construct

Defining Moments has been a proverbial page turner. I have enjoyed the structure and content as it relates to ethical situations. The author delivers a powerful sample of three issues broken down and analyzed simultaneously showing the complexity inherent in Right vs Right decisions.

Great read for management professionals

This book is a great companion for management professionals that seek to hone their skills and improve their ability to find the balance in right versus right decisions. The content is both interesting and thought-provoking.

Masterly communicated with straightforward case studies.

A thorough examination of four case studies, woven in and out of focus in a compelling manner. The author's unpredictability kept me on my toes, and challenged me constantly.
I learned more from this Audible book than 10 other books combined. A great book for leaders.

too wordy

the first half was too wordy..could be reduced to one third. the second half was insightful